Insulating base for an electric appliance



July 18, 1939. H. A. SMITH INSULATING BASE FOR AN ELECTRIC APPLIANCE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 26, 1938 33 2;; i 26 g l al'defif' S/ILLZ/g, Ig} z I 94% Q2 2415 July 18, 1939.

H. A. SMITH INSULATING BASE FOR AN ELECTRIC APPLIANCE Filed Jan. 26,1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 liaz/erziv" j rd f. 5712:2270 g g2 9 Patented July18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INSULATING BASE. FOR AN ELECTRICAPPLIANCE Howard A. Smith, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Knapp-MonarchCompany, St. Louis, M0,, a

My invention relates to electrical appliances and particularly to ameans for supporting them on a table top or other surface. Among theobjects of my invention is the provision of a new 5 and improved basefor an electrical appliance which is simple in design, efficient inoperation and comparatively simple to manufacture.

Another object is the provision of a new and improved insulating basefor an electrical appliance wherein one structural part serves thepurpose both of a rigid reinforcing member and a supporting means forthe base.

Another object is the provision of a supporting base for a low mountedelectric appliance which if, is relatively inexpensive to manufactureand which combines semi-rigid metallic parts and a rigid non-metallicpart into a rigid base by securing said parts together with a minimumnumber of clamping elements.

Still another object is the provision of a solid insulating base forelectric appliances consisting of a pair of semi-rigid stampings clampedtogether upon a rigid non-metallic ring by a means acting solely uponthe stampings and completely out of contact with the ring,

A further object is the provision of a base for an electric appliancecomprising a wooden plate having an open center and recesses formed onthe opposite faces adjacent the open center adapted to the reception ofstampings clamped thereon in order to provide rigidity to the assembledbase.

A further object is the provision of a wooden ring for a hollow platefor supplying reinforcement and support for a pair of semi-rigidstampings, the wooden ring being built in sections with the grainrunning parallel to the length of each in order that the direction ofthe grain will be substantially continuous around the ring in order 4nto provide said ring with a maximum of strength and rigidity.

Still a further object is to provide an insulating base for a lowmounted electrical appliance featuring metallic sheets separated by areinforcing 43 member of low heat conductivity separating the sheets onefrom another and elevating them above a surface such as a table top inorder to provide a series of closed and circulating air spaces forinsulating purposes.

Still a further object is to provide an insulating base for a lowmounted electric appliance featuring metallic sheets separated by areinforcing member of low heat conductivity separating the sheetswherein the parts are assembled by a 55 metal to metal contact at onlytwo places remote 1938, Serial No. 187,007

from the reinforcing member and the table surface on which the devicemay be positioned.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of mydevice, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinaftermore fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my device with sections broken away to showthe construction.

Figure 2 is a front elevation.

Figure 3 is an end elevation.

Figure 4 is an enlarged View of a section taken on the line 44 of Figure1.

Figure 5 is a front view partially in section taken on the line 55 ofFigure 1 and drawn to a slightly larger scale.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of Figure 5 with portions broken away to showthe construction.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top view of a wooden reinforcing ring.

Figure 8 is an enlarged exploded bottom view of portions of the woodenring; and

Figure 9 is a view of one of the stampings.

In this embodiment of my invention, the electrical appliance chosen tobe supported is a twin waffle iron indicated generally by the numeral lshown supported by a base indicated generally by numeral [2. The waffleiron is supported within a pair of casings l3 and I4 upon which restcorresponding tops l and I6 therefor, the whole being supported by aseries of depressed portions 11, three in number for each casing andformed from the metal comprising said casing, as best seen in Figures 2and 4.

The supporting base 12 consists of an upper shallow dished partcomprising a metallic stamping [8 forming a semi-rigid plate which isprovided with raised projections l9 impressed therein coinciding withthe depressed portions I! for supporting the appliance casing. A flutedwooden ring supports the stamping I 8 and the ring in turn is supportedby a series of downward projecting buttons 2| upon a surface such as atable top 22 or the like. The entire assembly comprises a low mountedelectric appliance resting upon a broad substantial base giving theeffect of a streamlined modern design.

In order to design such a low mounting having an extreme rigidconstruction which at the same time provides a suitable insulationagainst heat from the appliance which would otherwise harm the surfaceof a table top or the like, an unique construction has been devisedproviding the reiii quired insulation and at the same time reducing thenumber of parts and the operations necessary to assemble them to anabsolute minimum. The insulating features and the rigid constructionincorporate in part the wooden plate 255 forming a rigid ring having anopen six sided central portion directly underneath appliance casings. Onthe lower face of the ring completely surrounding the central portion isa recess extending an appreciable distance inward from the lower face ofthe ring. Adapted to fit within the recess 25 is a dished stamping 25having a six sided shape precisely the same in outline as the recess andprovided with flat horizontal edges 27 which fit snugly against thebottoms of said recesses, It is notable that the outline of the stamping2% coincides with the outline of the recess so that the edges of thestamping will fit snugly against vertical walls 28 of the recesses. Ontop face 29 of the ring 29 there is formed a recess or groove (iii whichtakes the general form of the outline of the ring itself as best seen inFigures 1 and 5.

The upper stamping i8 is provided with a turned down rim or flange 3ihaving a perimeter which exactly fits the groove 38 at a height suflicient to permit it to rest in the bottom of the groove and support theshallow dished central portion of the stamping in a position elevatedslightly above the upper face 29 of the ring. It should be noted alsothat the upper stamping i3 is dished slightly but not quite sopronouncedly as the lower stamping 253. Here too the perimeter of theupper stamping is almost exactly coincident with the upper groove 36 sothat the flanges when inserted within the groove, not only are supportedby the bottom of the groove, but also rest snugly against verticalsurfaces 32 forming the outside wall of the groove 3. The stampings aredished in order to increase their rigidity and the upper stamping inparticularis flanged not only to increase the structural rigidity butalso to add to the appearance of the assembled device. Both stampingsare held in their positions within the recesses or grooves in the ringby means of a pair of bolts 553 which draw them toward each otheragainst the ring 25. The ring so positioned between the edges of thestamping provides for the formation of a closed air space 3 3 betweenthe surfaces of the central portions of the stampings. It will becomeapparent that the only metal to metal contact between the stampings isthat supplied by the bolts thus reducing to a minimum the tendency ofthe base to conduct heat from the appliance casing to the spaceimmediately above the table top, it being borne in mind that the woodenring 26 has a relatively low heat conductivity.

Details of the construction of the depressed portion ii and raisedprojections iii are shown in Figure l. The depressed portions have anoutwardly bent tongue 35 which is received in a corresponding slot 36 inthe raised portion where, in the course of manufacture, the tongue isbent after insertion so that a lip of the tongue overlies the upper flatsurface of the projection thus fastening the appliance casing Iii to theupper stamping it at these points.

In order to form a firm and rigid base for the appliance, the semi-rigidstampings need be re inforced at the edges with a reinforcing ring ofthe nature of the wooden ring iii herein disclosed. It is furtherimportant that this ring he of substantial as well as simpleconstruction in order to produce a durable base since the ring muststand a considerable portion of the strain. In order that it may servethe purpose of a suit-- able reinforcement and support, the ring isconstructed of a plurality of sections including long straight sidesections 4 and end sections 4| and 42 curved at the outer edge, all theparts being adapted to form, when assembled, an elongated base for theappliance, Sections 48 are joined to the curved sections 4| by a meansof a mortise and tenon joint, the section being supplied with a tenon 43and curved sections 4| or 42 with a suitable mortise 44.. It isimportant to note that the direction of the wood grain in the curved sections 4| and 42 is lengthwise of the section, and at the junction ofthese end sections with the side sections the direction of grain makes ablunt angle with the direction of the grain in the straight side section48 thus in effect carrying the direction of the grain around thecorners. it is to be noted that the two curved sections 4| and 42 arejoined by a short separate tenon 45 receivable into suitable mortises 46and 4'! respectively in the sections 4| and 42. The direction of grainin the wooden tenon 45 is across the short dimension thereof againoperable to form, when assembled, an obtuse angle with the direction ofgrain in the curved sections 4| and 42. It will become apparent thathaving the wooden ring divided into a plurality of sections with thegrain in proper alignment the direction of grain is carried as near aspossible around the ring in substantial conformance with its perimeterthus adding greatly to the strength and rigidity of this reinforcingmember.

There has been provided then a rigid base of high insulating quality fora low mounted electrical appliance which takes advantage of structuraldesign in that each piece is designed to resists strain in a specifieddirection, all of which when assembled as a whole cooperate one withanother so that suitable bracing action is supplied in all directions.The ring forms a rigid reinforcing plate for supporting the entiredevice and for strengthening the stampings which in turn are dished tovaried depths in order to increase their rigidity and permit them, whenassembled together within the recesses of the reinforcing plate, tocooperate therewith in supplying a rigid, solid insulating base whichcan be held in assembled position by a minimum of securing means,

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of thevarious parts of my device, without departing from the real spirit andpurpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims,any modified forms of structure, or use of mechanical equivalents,'whichmay be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electric appliance supporting means a pair of independent platelike metallic parts, a relatively thick non-metallic ring of insulatingmaterial, means for supporting said ring close to a table top or thelike, means at the central portions of the metallic parts remote fromthe ring and table top cooperable in clamping said parts to oppositesides of the ring in spaced relation to each other, and means forattaching the appliance to one of said parts.

2. In an electric appliance supporting means a pair of separate dishedstampings, a relatively thick non-metallic ring of insulating materialhaving means thereon cooperable with the stampings, means for supportingsaid ring in spaced relation to a table top or the like, means securedAgainv to the central portions of the stampings remote from the ring forclamping said stampings to opposite sides of the ring spaced from eachother by said ring and means for attaching one of said stampings to anappliance casing.

3. Supporting means for an electric appliance casing comprising a pairof separate dished stampings, a relatively thick non-metallic ring, oneof said stampings having a flange at the edge and reception means on oneface of the ring adapted to receive said flange in edgewise con-- tact,another side of said ring being adapted to receive the other of saidstampings in flatwise contact and means at the central portions of thestampings remote from the ring for clamping said stampings to the ringin spaced relation to each other.

4. A base for an electric appliance comprising a rigid non-metallic ringhaving means forming recesses on opposite faces thereof, a pair ofdished stampings having the edges thereof receivable respectively insaid recesses and securing means remote from the ring for holding saidstampings in a rigid assembled position separated by said ring.

5. A base for an electric appliance comprising means forming a fiatnon-metallic reinforcing member of rigid construction having means forsupporting it upon the surface of a table or the like, a central openportion and means forming recesses in upper and lower faces of saidreinforcing member surrounding the open portion, a lower deeply dishedpart receivable into the recess of the lower face in inverted positionso that the entire part is retained inward from said lower face, anupper shallow dished part having a turned down rim receivable into therecess on the upper face in inverted position so that the part isdisposed above said upper face and the innermost surface of the lowerpart and means attachable to the dished parts only for drawing themagainst the reinforcing member to a rigid assembled position separatedby said member from each other.

6. An insulating base for an electric appliance comprising a rigid ringof low heat conductivity having means thereon for supporting it upon thesurface of a table top or the like and means forming a recess in thelower face thereof, a stamping receivable into said recess forming theupper wall of a lower circulating air space for insulating purposes,means forming a recess in the upper face and stamping receivable thereinforming with the base and the lower stamping a closed air space forinsulating purposes, a casing for the appliance supported at a pluralityof isolated points on the upper stamping forming a circulating air spacetherebetween for insulating purposes and means attached to the stampingsremote from the rim for securing said stampings and the casing togetherin position on said ring.

'7. An insulating base for a low mounted electric appliance comprising arigid ring of low heat conductivity provided with means for supportingit above the surface of a table or the like, a pair of plate like partsretained in separated position against opposite faces of said ring andan appliance casing of relatively large area mounted on one of saidparts at a plurality of isolated points of contact forming with saidparts a plurality of insulating air spaces between the casing and saidtable top.

8. An insulating base for a low mounted electric appliance comprising astamping and a frame of low heat conductively for supporting saidstamping in a position above a table top or the like to form a firstinsulating air space, a second stamping securable in spaced relation tothe first stamping in a position separated therefrom by said frameforming thereby a second insulating air space and a casing for saidappliance secured upon the second stamping in spaced relation theretoforming therebetween a third insulating space.

9. An insulating base for supporting a low mounted electric appliance ona table top or the like comprising a rigid ring of low heat conductivityhaving a recess in the lower face thereof, a lower separate metallicpart receivable in said recess having an elongated upwardly dishedportion extending inward from the face and away from the table top, anupper metallic part and means on the ring for accommodating said part ina position separated from the lower part by said ring forming an airspace therebetween, and a pair of metallic connecting means attached tothe metallic parts one at each end adjacent the side of the dishedportion remote from the ring forming a braced mounting for the metallicparts on said ring and the only contacts of relatively high heatconductivity between said parts.

10. A base for an electric appliance comprising means forming a flatnon-metallic reinforcing member of rigid construction having means forsupporting it upon the surface of a table or the like, an open centralportion and means forming recesses in the upper and lower faces thereof,a lower relatively deep dished stamping receivable into the lower recessin inverted position, an upper relatively shallow dished stampingreceivable into the upper recess in a position separated from the lowerpart, a casing for the appliance supported at a plurality of separatedcontact points upon the upper stamping and clamping means attached tosaid casing above the contact points and to the lower stamping forclamping said casing and both said stampings in position on thereinforcing member.

11. A base for an electric appliance comprising means forming a fiatnon-metallic reinforcing member of rigid construction having upper andlower faces and projections on one for supporting it upon the surface ofa table or the like, an open central portion, means forming a walledrecess in the lower face surrounding the central portion and meansforming a walled recess in the upper face, a lower deeply dishedsemi-rigid part having a flat edge adapted to be received within thelower recess in position inward from the face so as to be supported bythe walls and bottom thereof within the plane of the recess, an upperrelatively shallow dished stamping having a flanged rim receivable intothe upper recess in a position bearing against the walls and bottomthereof separated by said non-metallic member and an air space togetherfrom the other stamping and means attached to said stampings remote fromsaid reinforcing member for holding said stampings in rigid positionagainst said member at the outer edges and the rims thereby bracing theassembled parts against lateral movement by operation of the sides ofsaid recesses.

12. A rigid base for a low mounted electrical appliance comprising apair of relatively shallow semi-rigid stampings, a rigid reinforcing andseparating ring, clamping means attached to the stampings supplying atensil force operable to force the rims of said stampings in compressionagainst the ring to maintain the parts of said base in rigid verticalassembly, and means forming recesses in the ring for reception of theedges of the stampings so that a tendency of the edge of one tolaterally distort the base by pushing against its recess wall iscounteracted by contact of the other stamping edge with its respectiverecess wall in order to supply a bracing suflicient to hold the entirebase in rigid permanent assembly.

13. A rigid base for a low mounted electric appliance comprising a pairof rimmed semi-rigid stampings, a rigid reinforcing and separating ring,clamping means for holding the stampings in spaced relation to eachother against the ring to maintain the parts of said base in rigidvertical assembly, means forming a polygonal recess in one face of saidring and a polygonal rim on one of said stampings receivable thereinto,means forming a substantially curved recess in the other face of saidring and a correspondingly shaped rim on the other stamping receivablethereinto cooperable with the first recess and stamping to providerigidity for said base in all lateral directions.

HOWARD A. SMITH.

